Star Editorial Board endorsements: Indiana House District 86-93

The Star Editorial Board recommends the following candidates in Indiana House Districts 86 through 93:

District 86 Ed DeLaney

Democrat Ed DeLaney carries a lengthy resume of legislative initiatives into his bid for a third term. He faces Republican newcomer Luke Bosso.

While he has been sharply contentious on some issues, such as right-to-work and school vouchers, DeLaney provides a consistently clear and informed voice on a range of practical concerns, from compensation for accident victims to utilities regulation.

He's also been a champion of local government reform, which is a welcome declaration of independence from party politics.

DeLaney knows his district and would continue to represent it well.

District 87

Christina Hale

Democratic first-timer Christina Hale is bidding to unseat Republican veteran Cindy Noe, and Hale has the credentials and ideas to earn the nod.

First elected in 2002, Noe has brought business expertise and zeal for children to the position. As her party's leader in the latter realm, she might have been more aggressive in pressing the executive branch on child welfare.

Hale pledges bipartisanship and points to experience on both sides of the aisle as a special assistant to former Gov. Frank O'Bannon and as an executive with several state agencies from 1999 to 2003. The job she left to run for office, chief communications officer for Kiwanis International, has given her a global perspective that she hopes to apply to Hoosier business, education and mass transit.

Between two qualified candidates, Hale is the choice to take the legislature to a higher level.

District 88

Brian Bosma

As speaker of the Indiana House over the past two years, Brian Bosma has faced enormous challenges. How to balance a two-year budget amid a weak economy and tight tax revenues? How to reshape Indiana's tax structure to help the state compete more effectively for businesses and jobs? How to reform public schools to ensure more students have access to a high-quality education?

Bosma has led effectively over the past two years. But he will face a new set of challenges in a new term, including selecting strong replacements for experienced committee chairman such as Ways and Means' Jeff Espich, who retired from the General Assembly this year. Bosma also needs to keep his caucus, which is likely to have an even stronger majority after Nov. 6, from straying into secondary issues that can distract from essential matters such as education, the budget and economic development.

Bosma has promised that House Republicans will take a serious look at finally appropriating state money for early childhood education. He needs to lead aggressively on that matter.

He also needs to forge a strong working relationship with a new governor while at the same time ensuring that the House serves as a proper check-and-balance on the administration.

Bosma has all the tools needed to be a strong leader, but he must resist a tendency to indulge in partisan gamesmanship with a weakened Democratic caucus.

Brandon Perry hopes to join that caucus, but the young Democrat lacks the experience needed to unseat a veteran as skilled as Bosma.

The Star endorses Brian Bosma for a new term.

District 89

Cindy Kirchhofer

Cindy Kirchhofer is in an unusual and privileged position for a legislator completing a first term: The Eastside Republican is unchallenged.

Kirchhofer has been an effective representative of her urban district during her first two years in office. She's brought a bipartisan approach to the job and champions issues such as mass transit and early childhood education that haven't always gained traction in her caucus.

Kirchhofer has the potential to be a strong leader in the General Assembly. The next two years provide her with an opportunity to step out on issues such as transit. She should seize the chance.

District 90

Mike Speedy

Republican Mike Speedy is another relative newcomer to the General Assembly who didn't draw opposition this time around.

A former member of the City-County Council, Speedy is a thoughtful lawmaker who digs deep on issues of importance to his Southside district.

Like Cindy Kirchhofer in District 89, Speedy has the potential to emerge as a highly effective leader in the Statehouse.

District 91

Robert Behning

Voters in this Westside district will choose between two solid candidates on the ballot. Republican incumbent Robert Behning is the House Republicans' leading voice on education policy. As chairman of the Education Committee, he's guided aggressive reform measures through the General Assembly in recent years. He's long shown himself to be a thoughtful, disciplined leader.

Democratic challenger Michael Blinn, an attorney, is a promising newcomer who vows to lead from the middle.

That's a sound idea, but Blinn hasn't made the case as to why a dedicated veteran such as Behning should be replaced.

The Star endorses Robert Behning for a new term.

District 92

Tim Motsinger

In this open seat, long held by Republican Phil Hinkle, voters will choose between two promising newcomers.

Democrat Karlee Macer has been highly active in education and business circles in the district. She's a strong skeptic of education reforms enacted by the General Assembly in recent years, but struggled in an interview with The Star Editorial Board to describe viable alternatives for improving Indiana's schools.

Republican Tim Motsinger has an extensive background in law enforcement, serving with the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. He has the potential to lead well in the General Assembly but will need to guard against going along too readily with the Republican caucus.

Both candidates in the race are dedicated community leaders, but Motsinger wins the endorsement based on his depth of experience and better grasp of key issues.

District 93

David Frizzell

Republican David Frizzell has served this Southside district effectively for the past 20 years. He's developed a deep expertise on issues facing senior citizens as well as education policy and insurance regulation.

Democratic challenger Ryan Guillory, an attorney, has campaigned as a strong opponent of "right-to-work" legislation. He shows the potential to be an effective political leader, but he's overmatched against Frizzell, who earns The Star's endorsement.

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Star Editorial Board endorsements: Indiana House District 86-93

District 86 Ed DeLaney Democrat Ed DeLaney carries a lengthy resume of legislative initiatives into his bid for a third term. He faces Republican newcomer Luke Bosso.